Stories from Thursday, October 4, 2001

One overriding issue under heated debate in these hectic times is the question of civil liberties vs. national security. Newspapers are traditionally leading defenders of civil liberties and we shall always remain on that path. Yet in these times, some liberties must be sacrificed for the greater good. That's not an erosion of freedoms - it's simply a common sense approach to a real problem...

SIKESTON -- The last time Sikeston's softball team faced Farmington, the Lady Bulldogs were defeated 15-0 in three innings. On Wednesday, Sikeston experienced a bit of deja vu in the opening game of the 4A District 1 tournament, losing to Farmington again by the same score in three innings...

NEW MADRID - When the Sikeston Bulldogs and the New Madrid County Central Eagles hook up on Friday night, it will be more than a game between two rivals. It will also be the first game between two former high school teammates -- Chaffee High School's own Charlie Vickery and Steve Rogers...

Southwestern Bell Telephone cable splicing technicians Ben Truska and Randy Terry demonstrate the proper procedure to climb a pole and a ladder during the company's Safety Rodeo Wednesday in Sikeston. Technicians from six different garage locations participated in the refresher course on safety. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Jerry D. Thomure, 59, died Oct. 2, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center. Born July 15, 1942, in East Prairie, son of Alma Mae Simmons Thomure of Cape Girardeau and the late Rev. Arnold Thomure, he owned and operated the Jerry Thomure Trucking Company in Cape Girardeau...

BLOOMFIELD - William Ellis Pruett, 86, died Oct. 3, 2001, in Dexter. Born Feb. 6, 1915, near Bernie, son of the late James and Bertha Teualton Pruett, he was a lifelong resident of Stoddard County. He was engaged in a mercantile business near Dexter for 20 years before moving to Frisco. He moved to Aid in 1956 where he continued a store business for 10 years...

BERTRAND - Jimmy Dale VanWinkle, 50, died Sept. 30, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 10, 1951, in Alton, son of Mary Pauline "Polly" VanWinkle of Alton and the late Hiram VanWinkle, he was a truck driver. Survivors in addition to his mother include: three sons, Joey VanWinkle of Bertrand and Coty Woodson and Chase Woodson of Sikeston; one daughter, Jeannie Johnson of Alton; one sister, Gloria Campbell of Alton; and eight grandchildren...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Betty Walker Stancil, formerly of Sikeston, died at 3:05 p.m. Oct. 1, 2001, at the Caritas Medical Center in Louisville. Born in Sikeston, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Esther Kruger Walker Sr. and was a member of the Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville...

PUXICO - Thomas Wesley "Tom" McGowen, 78, died Oct. 3, 2001, at the Puxico Nursing Center. Born July 27, 1923, in Dudley, son of the late Willie and Janie Craft McGowen, he was a lifelong resident of Puxico. A U.S. Army veteran, he served in the European, African and Eastern Theaters of World War II and was a recipient of the Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and three overseas bars. ...

Can you tell me how one would become a Scott County prosecutor. If you can find out and put the answer in SpeakOut, I certainly would appreciate it. 1. Get a law degree and become a lawyer. 2. Get elected. I've been watching the news and the attack at the World Trade Center and Pentagon. ...

SIKESTON -- The terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., have had a profound impact on the lives of nearly every American. But while most of America is still trying to grasp the reality of Sept. 11, the possibility of more attacks seems likely...

NEW MADRID - By mid-October, New Madrid County residents will again have a local office to renew their driver's licenses, purchase vehicle plates and take their driver's exams. The Department of Revenue confirmed this week that Pam Henry, a former employee of the New Madrid County License Bureau, will direct the local fee office. Her appointment is official on Oct. 15...

SIKESTON - Hunter Albritton of the Albritton Undertaking Company and two attendants now have white surgeons' uniforms with caps for use when on ambulance duty. The attendants are Wayne Reed and J.D. Grisham. SIKESTON - Miss Carolyn Cobb, 16-year-old daughter of Mr. ...

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary 3319 would like to thank all those who donated food items, bought tickets and came out and ate with us. Thanks to you, we raised over $1,400 for the families of the New York City firefighters and police...

ST. LOUIS - The wedding of Brenda Lou Thompson and Aaron Thomas Gleason was conducted at 4:30 p.m. May 5, 2001, at Mount Zion United Methodist Church by the Rev. Scott Lohse. Scripture was read by Renee Gerdes of Bartelso, Ill., and Monica Goebel of Breese, Ill., friends of the bride...